" Nature is the inspiration for all ornamentation" Frank LLoyd Wright - Architect.
Welcome back!
This post is inspired from my recent trip in February this year to higher Himalayan mountain ranges.
Two years back when my friend Ayesha invited me to join her on this trip to spot the snow leopards, needless to say I had no idea what it meant!
Getting prepared meant physical, mental and then a whole new wardrobe!
Delhi to Khiber took us 3 days of traveling. Oh yes, it’s not for those who cant take road trips, certainly not for those who cant eat on the roadside or use public loos.
On reaching Khiber we were told – there is a family of leopards, and since it was mating season, the action was out there, in the open and had been going on for five days. You can imagine the excitement of my fellow adrenaline junkie-wildlife photographers. This was their dream come true!
My reaction – wow seriously!!!
I know you all must be wondering, from my last post on Kiss I have now taken this one to mating. Why Namrata Why? What’s going on?
Hold your tails…. I‘am getting there!
As it so happens, it’s very rare to spot snow leopards! They are also called “ghost of the mountains”
Nature protects them. The habitat, the ruggedness, the colors help to camouflage easily.
By the time we reached, the she leopard had had enough and walked off with her cubs. She was done with him! Exhausted,hungry and worried about her cubs.....off she went strutting her stuff.
Left him in his cave to sulk and nurse his injuries,caused by her ferocious well-coated claws. Oh boy oh boy…. and how he sulked!
There were a few, who witnessed this fight. We all did agree, nodding our heads - 5 days in a row was one hell of a lot!
He sulked and he slept. Even when he came really close to a prey, he wasn’t interested. The stage was set with our cameras every morning and packed every evening.
All we did was watch him sleep most part of the day and then go for an evening stroll. Licking his wounds and possibly his ego.
I was the only amateur photographer. My camera wasn’t good enough for looking straight into his eyes, (even when he came as close as 150 meters) so instead I concentrated on nature.
Just to witness the stark beauty of nature, the expanse of the rugged young Himalayas, the colours - I was in complete awe of every moment. I was fascinated how the local trackers would venture out early morning before dawn to spot the rarest of the rare wild creature – The Snow leopard. Those precious moments were divinity in itself. Understanding how wildlife and nature work together in creating continuity and balance, is crucial to any creative mind.
"The hours when the mind is absorbed by beauty are the only hours when we really live" Richard Jefferies - English nature writer.
So here I am sharing pictures of my trip & of spaces/styling that reflect similar colour palette and design sensibilities.
1. Food Styling
I love this picture! This is me in a state of bliss,to feel the snow falling....to dream of hot chocolate with marshmallows....sigh!
Food definitely drives me,as does food styling.
I love how the above picture creates such sensory bliss!
2. Zen Interiors
Simple monastery living requires, minimalistic interiors. Stone,white,purity,zen.
The above picture is a work of Zen mindfulness. The play of texture,stone,cement and white.
3.Color palette
It's the first step to get the mood board right. Blue,white & Sand.
The white and blue contrast in the above picture is so easy to relate with the one below.
4. Tablescapes
Large part of my table styling is inspired by nature. I love the colours and the rawness of this picture below. Perfect for outdoors. See how it compliments the above colour palette.
"It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful,and gives birth to imagination" Henry David Thoreau - Philosopher,naturalist,yogi and historian.
5. Interiors
The purity of snow covered mountains in this picture is a perfect inspiration for white interiors.
Absolutely love the white walls and the ceiling with perfect wood accents for a rustic chic mountain lodge.
6. Space
The starkness of the village homes against the backdrop of snow with no trees around, was mesmerising. We were in the snow desert. These structures stood out like a frame on the wall, little boxes layered and clustered together surrounded by blank expanse of snow. Space is crucial to design and to nature.
7. Contrast
The two Yaks in this picture are a perfect contrast to the white snow. Black and white interiors is what we can never get enough of.
In the above black and white living room,the slight hint of black is what makes this space epitome of elegance!
8.Flow
One of the words I often use is flow. I like to see flow of colours,forms,curves in any space. There should be a continuity.
In the above picture,the seamlessness, flow, curves and continuity in the walls make this rustic bathroom so inviting.
9.Shapes and patterns
The first shape that comes to our mind is a triangle. Ask any kid, even if they have never been to the mountains,its always triangles!. Sloping roofs are synonymous to mountain homes.
The simplicity in design and material in the above roof is the focal point of this room.
The angular pattern on the carpet with neutral tones of white and sand remind me of the rugged mountains shape.
10. Texture
A sliver of black river flowing in the white expanse of snow acts as a divider between flat surface of river bed to the texture of snow covered rugged mountains. Vey similar to the Ratan white sideboard with smooth counter top.
As the case in nature, mating it right - is the key to design. The use of contrast colors white, grey, black and sand are classic to interiors.
Keeping your outdoors in sync with your interiors create more harmony.
Be it patterns, colours or textures. I hope this post will bring you closer to nature.
If you have enjoyed the analogy between workings of nature and my design perspective, please leave your comments below!
"I believe natural beauty has a necessary place in the spiritual development of any individual or any society" Rachel Carson - Marine biologist.
Nams 👏👏👏👏 fabulous ! Such a treat to read and visualise really ! Love it ... and enjoy your writing so much
Stunning!! Your eyes see things that no one else can. I have experienced your power to transform a space from Uff! To Wow!!!
Beautiful. Zen interiors being my favorite. Namu you are totally inspired and your clients are lucky to get you to design their space with such pure inspiration.
Proud of you girl. As always.
What a gorgeous blog post..... I love the way you have related your journey to your spaces!
Damn! I could feel it..please write more. Xx